An Analysis Of Shakespeare S Sonnet 18
Laura Arose HUM2210
The Renaissance was a time of “cultural rebirth” and “intellectual exploration” (Sayre 2015, 467) in which people began to redefine the meaning of art and literature. Specifically in the sixteenth century “Elizabethan Era” of England, a new form of literature was born: the sonnet. Known as a “little song” (Sayre 2015, 648), the sonnet comprises of two types: Italian (Petrarchan) and English (Shakespearean). The English sonnet was standardized by William Shakespeare in which the format consists of three quatrains, an ending couplet, and iambic pentameter. This standardization also occurs in his reoccurring attempt at the opposition of the conventional theme of chivalrous love in poetry. Though one sonnet in particular defies this ideal: Sonnet 18.
Sonnet 18 was one of Shakespeare’s most renowned sonnets in which he compares his love to an “eternal summer”. Shakespeare not only speaks highly of love but also openly shares his incontestable fascination with his beloved. These confessions highlighted the transformation in literature during the Renaissance period. Prior to the Renaissance, Medieval literature was strictly religious. As time progressed, these religious-based writings began to contain other taboo topics of love ranging from “passionate ‘platonic love’” to “avid sexual adventuring” (Borris, 2004). Though controversy arose in which many speculate that the sonnet was “devoted to a young man.” (Stanivukovic). Homoerotic writing was frequently used among male writers in the Renaissance period in order to anonymously express their “shameful homosexual tendencies”.
Within fourteen lines of poetry, Shakespeare portrays his obsession with the physical appearance of his dearest. The first line of this sonnet begins with the use of a metaphor which extends throughout the piece comparing “thee to a summer’s day” (Shakespeare). He even emphasizes that his love is “more lovely” (Shakespeare) and “more temperate” (Shakespeare) than what is
The Renaissance was a time of “cultural rebirth” and “intellectual exploration” (Sayre 2015, 467) in which people began to redefine the meaning of art and literature. Specifically in the sixteenth century “Elizabethan Era” of England, a new form of literature was born: the sonnet. Known as a “little song” (Sayre 2015, 648), the sonnet comprises of two types: Italian (Petrarchan) and English (Shakespearean). The English sonnet was standardized by William Shakespeare in which the format consists of three quatrains, an ending couplet, and iambic pentameter. This standardization also occurs in his reoccurring attempt at the opposition of the conventional theme of chivalrous love in poetry. Though one sonnet in particular defies this ideal: Sonnet 18.
Sonnet 18 was one of Shakespeare’s most renowned sonnets in which he compares his love to an “eternal summer”. Shakespeare not only speaks highly of love but also openly shares his incontestable fascination with his beloved. These confessions highlighted the transformation in literature during the Renaissance period. Prior to the Renaissance, Medieval literature was strictly religious. As time progressed, these religious-based writings began to contain other taboo topics of love ranging from “passionate ‘platonic love’” to “avid sexual adventuring” (Borris, 2004). Though controversy arose in which many speculate that the sonnet was “devoted to a young man.” (Stanivukovic). Homoerotic writing was frequently used among male writers in the Renaissance period in order to anonymously express their “shameful homosexual tendencies”.
Within fourteen lines of poetry, Shakespeare portrays his obsession with the physical appearance of his dearest. The first line of this sonnet begins with the use of a metaphor which extends throughout the piece comparing “thee to a summer’s day” (Shakespeare). He even emphasizes that his love is “more lovely” (Shakespeare) and “more temperate” (Shakespeare) than what is